Apparatus for preventing blowouts



y 1957 w. J. BIELSTEIN 2,799,476

APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BLOWOUTS Filed NOV. 12; 1953 {Sheets-Sheet 1 KELLY JOINT QUICK cwsma I l VALVE I I I3 FIG. 5. ll 1 FLOW LINE i i uu u aLow-our L I PREVENTOR l INVENTOR Walter J. Bie/sfein, FIG. I. BY

ATTORNEY FIG. 6.

July 16, 1957 w. J. BIELSTEIN 2 7 ,4

I APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BLOWQUTS Filed NOV. 12, 1953 Z-Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 9.

ml is I V h I v I INVENTOR. Wa/fer J. Hie/stein,

A TTOR E)- United States Patent 1 APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BLOWOUTS Walter J. Bielstein, Corpus Christi, Tex., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Esso Research and Engineering Company, Elizabeth, N. J., a corporation of Delaware Application November 12, 1953, Serial No. 391,546

8 Claims. (Cl. 255-19) The present invention is directed to apparatus for preventing blowouts. More particularly, the invention is directed to apparatus for preventing blowouts in drilling oil and gas wells and the like. In its more specific aspects, the invention is directed to apparatus which will allow rotation of the pipe when a well is attempting to blow out during the process of drilling.

The present invention may be briefly described as apparatus for preventing blowouts in a drilling well which is adapted to be arranged on a bell nipple which comprises, in combination, a first member defined by first and second hinged sections each provided with a semicircular openmg adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of a pipe. The first member is adapted to rest on the bell nipple. A second member defined by third and fourth sections, each provided with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of the pipe, is rotationally arranged on the first member to rotate with re spect to the first member. The first and second members are each provided with facing ball bearing raceways. Ball bearings are arranged in the raceways to allow the second member to rotate with respect to the first member. The first member carries sealing means to seal against the periphery of the pipe and against the bell nipple. These seahng means may suitably be first and second deformable packing members. The apparatus is provided with clampmg means on said first member for holding the apparatus around the pipe.

The apparatus may be provided with a third sealing means arranged between the sections to seal said sections from flow between the sections.

The invention will be further described with respect to the drawing showing a preferred embodiment in which Fig. l is a partial sectional view of the apparatus arranged on a bell nipple and embracing a pipe;

Fig. 2 is a view looking downward on the apparatus of Fig. 1 apart from the supporting means;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view showing the balls and raceways of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a view showing the fixed sections of Fig. 1 in an open position and apart from the rest of the apparatus;

Figs. 7 and 8 are views showing the rotational sections of Fig. 1 apart from the apparatus;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 99 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 1010 of Fig. 6;

Figs. 11 through are views showing the sealing means of the apparatus; and,

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view showing a modified sealing means which may be incorporated in the apparatus.

Referring now to the drawing, and particularly to Figs. l-to l0, numeral 11 designates a belLnipple of a, well invention.

Patented July 16, 1957 ICC provided with a flow line 12 containing a quick closing valve 13. The bell nipple 11 is connected to the top flange 14 of a blowout preventer not shown. Arranged on the flange portion of bell nipple 11 is a polish rod 15 provided with a shoulder 16. The polish rod 15 has a shoulder 17 such as on threaded nut or cap 17a to limit the upward travel of the means consisting of hinge members 18 and 18a which supports the device of the present The hinge members 18 and 18a are connected to and form part of first plate members 19 which are hinged together as shown in Fig. 2. The first members 19 are provided with a plurality of ball bearing raceways 20 in which are arranged ball bearings 20a. The first members 19 rest on thetop periphery of the bell nipple 11 and a seal is provided with the bell nipple by a sealing member 21 arranged in a recess 22 of the members 19. The members 19 carry sealing members 23 which are adapted to contact or embrace the outer periphery of the pipe 31 and provide a seal thereagainst. These sealing members 23 are suitably carried in offset portions 24 of the members 19. Suitably, the sealing members 21 and 23 may be formed integrally as one sealing member as may be desired and as shown in Figs. 11 to 16.

Rotationally arranged on the members 19 are abutting semicircular second plate members 25 also provided with ball bearing raceways 26 corresponding to the raceways 29. The ball bearings 20a are designed to rotate in the raceways 20 and 26 to allow rotation of the members 25 with respect to the members 19. The ball bearings 20a may be arranged in five or six retainers 20b, as desired, in the raceways 20 and 26 to prevent loss of the bearings 20a when the unit is open or being moved.

The members 19 and 25 are generally semicircular in shape and configuration. Members 25 are shown in Fig. 2. Members 25' each define semicircular openings 29 and 30 adapted to embrace the periphery of a pipe 31 when closed.

The members 25 are provided with a shoulder 32 which is adapted to receive the upset 33 of a tool joint 34 of pipe 31 which is connected by threads, not shown, with the kelly 35. The members 25 are also provided with an inset shoulder 37 which extends under a rim or shoulder 37a of the member 19.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the members 25 are hinged at hinge 18 and pin or rod 15. The members 25 are clamped together with a clamping means 38 which is provided with a threaded rod 38a and a nut 38]) and having a manipulating means including a rod 39 for tightening these several sections. Members 25 are not hinged together, but are held in rotating relationship with members 19 by means of shoulders 37 and 37a, grooves 21 26 and balls 20a. The members 25 abut each other to maintain same in place, the shoulder 33 bearing against the shoulder 32, the ball bearings 20a serving to maintain the members 25 on the members 19. A seal is maintained between the members by a tongue 40 and a groove 41 in which is arranged a deformable packing member 42. Packing member 42 may connect with sealing ring 21 and sealing means 23 of member 19 as shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 11 and 16. In the drawing member 42 and ring 21 are shown as constructed integrally but may be constructed as separate members as desired.

Referring now to Fig. 16, it will be seen that the separate sealing members 23 and 21 may be formed integrally as shown and composed of a sealing member having an inner cup-shaped semicircular member 61 connected to an outer semicircular member 62 by member 63 and which may be arranged in the recesses in the members 19 as has been described with respect to Figs. 1 and 3.

Referring now to Figs. 11 to 16, sealing means 21 consists of two semicircular ring packing members 210 and 21b. Packing members 21a define two internally projecting portions 42 shown more clearly in Fig. 11. Sealing means 23 consists of two semicircular sections 23a and 23b as shown in Figs. 14 and 15.

The apparatus of the present invention operates in the following manner:

When a well is attempting to blow out while in the process of drilling, control of the well ordinarily involves closing of the conventional blowout preventers to control flow of the fluid in the well annulus. After closing the blowout preventer, the pipe 31 may be worked up and down or rotated. However, manipulation of the pipe 31 is usually not allowed because this may damage the blowout preventer ram pack-off elements. If the pipe is not rotated or moved up and down, the result is quite often a stuck drill stem.

' In my invention rotation of the pipe is provided when the wellhead pressure is such that the weight of the pipe is sufficient to maintain a seal around the top of the bell nipple. In my apparatus the tool joint 34 with the upset 33 rests on the shoulder 32 provided by members 25 and bears downwardly on the members 25. Since members 25 have raceways 26 which correspond with the race- Ways 29 inwhich the ball bearings a are arranged, the members may rotate with respect to the members 19. Thus the members 25 transfer the weight of the pipe to the lower members 19 and allow rotation with respect thereto. A seal is provided around and against the pipe 31 by the sealing member 23 which is held tightly against the pipe by the clamp 38. The weight transferred to members 19 also causes a fluid tight seal between seal ring 21 and the top of bell nipple 11.

When it is desired to move the apparatus of the present invention off of the bell nipple 11, this may be done by manipulating the rod 39 and opening the clamp 38 swinging the members 19 and 25 from around the pipe. By attaching a wire line to the eyes 56 and raising the members 25 and 19 on the polish rod 15, the members 25 and 19 may be swung around and off the bell nipple 11. Likewise when it is desired to move the members 25 and 19 onto the bell nipple 11, the device may be easily swung around and onto the bell nipple as has been described.

While the pipe seal 23 has been shown of a construction similar to that of a reversed swab cup, I may use a sealing member such as a wrap around O-ring pack-off member; likewise with respect to the sealing member 21 an O-ring may replace the packing member shown. The quick closing valve-13 is provided in the flow line to remove limitations on the use of the apparatus of the present invention. Otherwise, the device might be limited to situations where the blowout is not serious and choking of the well is not necessary. The valve 13 and flow line 12 allow diversion of flow from the casing-tubing annulus therethrough, as required, until the well is again brought under control. Valve 13 preferably is near the bell nipple and is of the type shown on page 1685, vol. I of the 1953 Composite Catalog. This example shows the Falcon-Greenwood trigger trip safety quick closing valve; however, any type quick closing valve may be used. Without the flow line valve, use of the apparatus of the present invention might be limited to occasions where the attempted blowout is not serious and choking of the well is not necessary.

The nature and objects of the present invention having been completely described and illustrated, what I wish to claim as new and useful and to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for preventing blowouts in a drilling well having a rotatable pipe arranged therein and adapted to be arranged horizontally on the upper open end of a bell nipple which comprises, in combination, first and second semicircular hinged plate members each provided 2,799,476 i a p I with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said first and second plate members being adapted to be carried by said bell nipple on its open upper end and said first and second plate members each being provided with a semicircular outwardly projecting peripheral shoulder, third and fourth plate members each provided with a semi-circular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said third and fourth plate members each being provided with a semicircular inwardly extending peripheral shouider, said third and fourth plate members being horizontally and rotationally arranged on said first and second plate members with the outwardly projecting shoulder enclosed by the inwardly extending shoulder, ball-bearing raceways in the facing surfaces of said plate members and ball bearings in said raceways frictionally bearing against said plate members, means carried by said first and second plate members for sealing against the periphery of said pipe and between said first and second members and said bell nipple, and clamping means interconnecting said first and second members for holding said apparatus around said pipe for rotation of said third and fourth plate members with said pipe on resting the weight of said pipe on said third and fourth plate members.

2. Apparatus for preventing blow outs in a drilling well having a rotatable pipe arranged therein and adapted to be arranged horizontally on the upper open end of a bell nipple which comprises, in combination, first and second semi-circular hinged plate members each provided with a semi-circular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said first and second plate members being adapted to be carried by said bell nipple on its open upper end and said first and second plate members each being provided with a semicircular outwardly projecting peripheral shoulder, third and fourth plate members each provided with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said third and fourth plate members each being provided with a semi-circular inwardly extending peripheral shoulder, said third and fourth plate members being horizontally and rotationally arranged on said first and second plate members with the outwardly projecting shoulder enclosed by the inwardly extending shoulder, ball bearing raceways in the facing surfaces of said plate members and ball hearings in said raceways frictionally bearing against said plate members, first split annular deformable packing means carried by said first and second plate members in the semi-circular openings for sealing against the periphery of said pipe, second split annular deformable packing means arranged and providing a seal between said first and second members and said bell nipple, clamping means interconnecting said first and second members for holding said apparatus around said pipe for rotation of said third and fourth plate members with said pipe on resting the weight of said pipe on said third and fourth plate members, and means connected to said apparatus for supporting and maintaining same on said bell nipple.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 in which a third split deformable packing means is arranged between the first and second plate members to seal between said first and second plate members.

4. Apparatus for preventing blowouts in a drilling well having a pipe arranged therein which comprises, in combination, a bell nipple, first and second semi-circular plate members each provided with a semi-circular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said first and second plate members being carried horizontally by said bell nipple on its open upper end and said first and second hinged plate members each being provided with a semicircular outwardly projecting peripheral shoulder, third and fourth plate members each provided with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said third and fourth plate members each being provided with a semicircular inwardly extending peripheral shoulder, said third and fourth'plate members being horizontally and rotationally arranged on said first and second plate members with the outwardly projecting shoulder enclosed by the inwardly extending shoulder, ball-bearing raceways in the facing surfaces of said plate members and ball bearings in said raceways frictionally bearing against said plate members, means carried by said first and second plate members for sealing against the periphery of said pipe and between said first and second members and said bell nipple, and clamping means interconnecting said first and second members for holding said apparatus around said pipe for rotation of said third and fourth plate members with said pipe on resting the weight of said pipe on said third and fourth plate members.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the sealing means comprises deformable packing members.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 in which the bell nipple has a flow line attached thereto and the flow line has a quick closing valve arranged therein.

7. Apparatus for preventing blowouts in a drilling well having a pipe arranged therein and adapted to be arranged horizontally on the upper open end of a'bell nipple which comprises, in combination, first and second semicircular plate members each provided with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, hinging means hingedly connecting said first and second plate members, said first and second plate members being adapted to be carried by said bell nipple on its open upper end and said first and second members each being provided with a semicircular outwardly projecting peripheral shoulder, third and fourth plate members each provided with a semicircular opening adapted when closed to embrace the periphery of said pipe, said third and fourth plate members each being provided with a semicircular inwardly extending peripheral shoulder, said third and fourth plate members being horizontally and rotationally arranged on said first and second members with the outwardly projecting shoulder enclosed by the inwardly extending shoulder, ball-bearing raceways in the facing surface of said plate members and ball bearings in said raceways frictionally bearing against said plate members, means carried by said first and second plate members for sealing against the periphery of said pipe and between said first and second plate members and said bell nipple, clamping means interconnecting said first and second plate members for holding said apparatus around said pipe for rotation of said third and fourth plate members with said pipe on resting the weight of said pipe on said third and fourth plate members, and a supporting means attached to said bell nipple and to said hinging means for maintaining said apparatus on said bell nipple.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 in which the semicircular openings of the third and fourth plate members are provided with shoulders on their upper surfaces to receive a tool joint of said pipe.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING BLOWOUTS IN A DRILLING WELL HAVING A ROTATABLE PIPE ARRANGED THEREIN AND ADAPTED TO BE ARRANGED HORIZONTALLY ON THE UPPER OPEN END OF A BELL NIPPLE WHICH COMPRISES, IN COMBINATION, FIRST AND SECOND SEMICIRCULAR HINGED PLATE MEMBERS EACH PROVIDED WITH A SEMICIRCULAR OPENING ADAPTED WHEN CLOSED TO EMBRACE THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PIPE, SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATE MEMBERS BEING ADAPTED TO BE CARRIED BY SAID BELL NIPPLE ON ITS OPEN UPPER END AND SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATE MEMBERS EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH A SEMICIRCULAR OUTWARDLY PROJECTING PERIPHERAL SHOULDER, THIRD AND FOURTH PLATE MEMBERS EACH PROVIDED WITH A SEMI-CIRCULAR OPENING ADAPTED WHEN CLOSED TO EMBRACE THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PIPE, SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PLATE MEMBERS EACH BEING PROVIDED WITH A SEMICIRCULAR INWARDLY EXTENDING PEBEING HORIZONTALLY AND ROTATIONALLY ARRANGED ON SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATE MEMBERS WITH THE OUTWARDLY PROJECTING SHOULDER ENCLOSED BY THE INWARDLY EXTENDING SHOULDER BALL-BEARING RACEWAYS IN THE FACING SURFACES OF SAID PLATE MEMBERS AND BALL BEARINGS IN SAID RACEWAYS FRICTIONALLY BEARING AGAINST SAID PLATE MEMBERS, MEANS CARRIED BY SAID FIRST AND SECOND PLATE MEMBERS FOR SEALING AGAINST THE PERIPHERY OF SAID PIPE AND BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS AND SAID BELL NIPPLE, AND CLAMPING MEANS INTERCONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND MEMBERS FOR HOLDING SAID APPARATUS AROUND SAID PIPE FOR ROTATION OF SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PLATE MEMBERS WITH SAID PIPE ON RESTING THE WEIGHT OF SAID PIPE ON SAID THIRD AND FOURTH PLATE MEMBERS. 